NBC loads up four more comedies

'Chelsea,' 'Free Agents,' 'Bent' ordered

NBC is stocking up on new comedies, ordering four more half-hours on Friday.

“Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea,” “Free Agents,” “Bent” and an untitled comedy from writers Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair now known as “BFFs” joined two other previously ordered half-hours, “Whitney” and “Up All Night.”

While “Chelsea” and “Agents” could show up on the fall schedule, “Bent” and “BFFs” are expected to go midseason.

“Vodka,” adapted by the autobiographical book of the same name from E! late-night host Chelsea Handler, is from Warner Bros. Television. Universal Media Studios produced “BFFs,” “Bent” and “Agents.”

With as many as six new comedies on the pickups which could mean the Peacock is opening a second night of comedy outside of Thursday.

“Vodka” and “Whitney” represent NBC’s first multicamera-comedy orders in five years.

“Agents” is a workplace romance with Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn, from executive producers John Enbom, Todd Holland, Karey Burke and Kenton Allen.

“Bent” stars Amanda Peet as a newly divorced mom who finds chemistry with her contractor; executive producer is Tad Quill. “BFFs” also has a divorced character, a woman who moves in with frends after splitting with her husband.

As expected, NBC also renewed “Chuck” for a fifth season, ordering 13 episodes. This will be the drama’s final season, according to the network.

Not returning is “Law & Order: Los Angeles,” which struggled in the ratings before and after a three-month hiatus in which the series was retooled. “LOLA” joins other first-year series not returning including “The Event,” “Outsourced” and “Perfect Couples.”